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Red River cart
Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
a sturdy two-wheeled cart constructed entirely of wood, the parts being fixed by wooden pins and lashed with shaganappi (def. 1); the wheels were some five feet in diameter and about three inches broad at the rim; the axle carried a simple box equipped with a railing for carrying the load, about 1,000 pounds. As a rule, the carts travelled in trains or brigades and the ungreased wheels gave forth ear-piercing shrieks and squeals which could be heard for miles across the prairie.
Quotations
1802
[We have ... a new sort of cart, which facilitates transportation, hauling home meat, etc. They are about four feet high and perfectly straight; the spokes are perpendicular, without the least bending outward. These carts carry about five pieces, and are drawn by one horse.]
1857
The Red River cart is one admirably suited to the exigencies of the country. . . .
1885
Huge wheels, out of all proportion to the carrying capacity, with felloes roughly cut from native wood . shaganappi fastening everywhere, shaganappi "hitchings" ; not a grain of iron in its whole anatomy?such was the far-famed Red River Cart in its palmy days.
1894
After the first half-day we saw no sign of life on the way except the freighters, who, with their lines of Red River carts and ponies, were carrying the "pieces" for the northern outfit to the Landing.
1966
. . . Frank Oliver trudged overland from southern Ontario, hauling a printing press by Red River cart, to found the Edmonton Bulletin.
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